Module BISS1212: CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS1212: CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Prerequisites

• GCSE Double Award.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the structure of the cells and their genetics.
• To introduce students to immunology, metabolism, transport systems, enzymes and bioinformatics.
• To develop laboratory skills in these disciplines.

Content

• Cell Structure: Ultrastructure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
• structure and function of cell organelles and membranes;
• Introduction to cell interactions, signalling and transport systems;
• Overview of energy metabolism as an introduction to the chemical processes that suport life.
• Molecular Genetics: Organisation of the human genome and chromosome structure;
• Genome organisation and chromosomal struture;
• Mendelian genetics;
• Principal of DNA replication, transcription and translation;
• Principles of cell cycle and cell division;
• Introduction to bioinformatics and it's use in information retrieval;
• Introduction to consequences of genetic mutations as the basis for human disease;
• Introduction to laboratory methods, data interpretation and safety procedures in cell and molecular biology;
• Immunology: Introduction to cells and tissue of the immune system, MHC and antigen presentation;
• Structure and function of red blood cells in health and disease.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module students should have: an introductory level of knowledge of cell structure, genetics, bioinformatics, immunology and understand the nature of enzymes and enzyme reactions

• Students should be familiar with basic experimental and safety procedures applicable to modern cell and molecular biology

• Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to handle and interpret simple experimental data

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures provide a solid foundation for knowledge and understanding, both practical and theoretical, and form a framework for students' self-directed learning.
• Laboratory sessions are used to reinforce the subject knowledge identified in other teaching and learning modes, but also serve to enhance subject specific skills such as of accuracy, reproducibility, data recording and interpretation as well as health and safety in the biomedical laboratory.
• CAL is used both to enhance subject specific knowledge, but also to enhance subject specific skills, for example in the handling of biomedical data as well as key skills, such as IT.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Practical report, MCQs and case study/data handling exercise.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University